Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied increased ratings for several service-connected conditions and granted service connection for a few others, including tinea pedis, bilateral dry eye syndrome, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, left knee disability (secondary), right knee disability (secondary), and right ankle disability (secondary).

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy and remanded the issue of a higher rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as remanded several other claims.

The Board remands the matter for an additional VA examination to assess the severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spondylosis.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disability, right knee disability, and back disability based on the evidence showing that these conditions are etiologically related to active service.

The Board remands the claim for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's low back disability, as the most recent examination report is deemed inadequate.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine multilevel spondylosis with mild canal narrowing at C3-4 through C5-6, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right shoulder strain and tendinitis, left shoulder tendinitis and tendinosis, as well as secondary radiculopathies in the upper and lower extremities.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claim for lumbosacral strain due to an inadequate medical opinion.

The Board remands the claims for a low back disability, left knee disability, and schizophrenia to provide the Veteran with additional VA examinations due to his attempts to attend scheduled examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is granted a 70 percent rating, while the claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, left knee strain, and both lower extremity radiculopathies are denied due to failure to report for necessary VA examinations.

The Veteran's low back condition and right knee condition were granted ratings of 50 percent and 20 percent, respectively, from December 1, 2023. The other conditions for which increased ratings were sought were denied.

The Board remands the claim for a back condition as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee and ankle conditions due to an inadequate medical opinion.

The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, GERD, contact dermatitis, left ankle gout, degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine, left knee meniscal tear and gout, left big toe gout, left elbow gout, status post cervical fusion, and sleep apnea, as they are related to active duty training (ACDUTRA).

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, finding that the evidence was at least in equipoise that it began during active service and has continued since. Other issues were remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, respiratory conditions, foot and ankle issues, knee and shoulder problems, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, IBS, and sleep disorders.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, right ankle tendonitis, and dermatitis to correct duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and denied increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right knee DJD limitation of flexion, left shoulder arthritis, and other issues. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for depressive disorder and separate 20 percent ratings for right knee instability and right knee DJD limitation of extension.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back disorder and right hip disorder to obtain additional evidence and an opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board remands the claims for increased disability ratings for back and bilateral knee disabilities to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including an inadequate VA examination.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability and separate 10 percent ratings for right and left knee instability, while denying higher ratings for right and left knee disabilities.